The preliminary model of the EV50 drone from DJI, equipped with composite wings, reached an altitude of 8,861 meters above Everest during a polar mission. This flight demonstrated the drone's ability to perform vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) cargo operations up to 100 kilometers in extreme conditions.
The EV50 drone combines vertical take-off and landing functions with fixed-wing flight efficiency. It uses eight vertical rotors for VTOL and then transitions to fixed-wing flight for cruising. It is capable of achieving speeds from 40 to 55 m/s and withstanding winds up to 20 m/s, typical for the glacial zone. Thanks to its purely electric propulsion system, the drone produces no exhaust fumes, which is critically important for uncontaminated atmospheric analysis.
Over more than twelve days of operation on the north face of Everest, the EV50 completed 32 flights, achieving a continuous climb of 3,730 meters while transporting equipment for atmospheric data collection.
DJI's history of testing on Everest spans 17 years. The first tests of small unmanned helicopters on the plateau were conducted by founder Wang Tao in 2009. The company has used Everest as the world's harshest testing ground, testing devices such as the ACE ONE flight controller, Phantom 2 Vision+ drones, and recently, the Mavic 3, which was launched from the summit at an altitude of 8,848.86 meters in 2022. In 2024, FC30 drones began regular flights on the south face of Everest, delivering supplies across the Khumbu Icefall.
During the Everest campaign, the new FC100 cargo drone was also introduced, capable of carrying an 80 kg payload in difficult conditions. This drone completes the task in 8 minutes, which previously required 7 hours of manual transport. Furthermore, the M4 E mapping drone conducted the first-ever survey of cracks in the Khumbu Icefall, helping Sherpas plan safer routes.
The EV50 is designed not only for scientific research but also for regular cargo transport over distances of 100 kilometers, serving the low-level economy. The successful validation of the platform on Everest confirms its reliability for supplying mountain villages, inter-island logistics, emergency response, and large-scale aerial photography. DJI has identified two initial deployment areas: the Danba county in Sichuan, where mountainous terrain often obstructs road access, and the Ningshan county in Shansi province, where delivery routes must detour through major settlements.
